Evenstad Reserve Dundee Hills Chardonnay

See previous Delectable notes. Initial vanillin aromas of high quality oak which blends with the peach and other stone fruits beautifully. Notes of rock melon. I don’t like repeating pro notes but Jancis’s comments re popcorn aromas hits the spot. This wine has developed beautifully over the 4 years I have owned it. Those early notes of guava and citrus are now more pear and cumquat. This was Wine #2 in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2016. The following night the vanilla oak to the fore again but it seems to work in this case.

medium straw colored, watery rim; somewhat muted, lemon, green apple, beeswax, wet gravel; tart citrus, wet stone, a bit of lanolin on the finish; medium body, dry, medium acidity, 14.2% ABV; made from Dijon clone sourced from Dundee Hills, aged 13 months in 31% new French oak; still going strong at this point in its development

At the Toowoomba Wine Show Judges Dinner - this was the wine I brought. See previous notes here on Delectable. An excellent Chardonnay from Oregon, this was Wine No. 2 in Wine Spectators Top 100 for 2016.

Pale to mid Lemon in colour. Initial notes of Vanilla Oak - a bit of leesy funk. Palate is medium plus intensity with some citrus and ripe grapefruit - generous with minerality and good length - a buttery note on the palate. An excellent new world Chardonnay from Oregon. This was Wine #2 in Wine Spectators Top 100 for 2016.

A fascinating juxtaposition that lands somewhere between a poached pear, butter and vanilla, mellow malo Chardonnay style and fresh orchard fruit, pineapple, and citrus approach. Ultimately it leans more towards the former, but the balance is notable and evident of why Wine Spectator named this as their number 2 wine of 2016.

This should be an interesting comparison of 2 excellent new world Chardonnays. The 2014 Domaine Serene was Wine Spectators #2 Wine of 2016 and the Leeuwin Art Series one of Australia’s best Chardonnays consistently for many years - some would say THE Best. Talking about the Oregon Wine first. Flinty sulphidic notes to begin with light florals. On palate in the leaner style with the acid outweighing the fruit weight with plenty of mineral. An unusual quince character which is not unpleasant. Good balance of fruit and oak finishing with a trace of bitterness making it moreish. An excellent new world Chardonnay. My wife preferred this to the Leeuwin for its restraint and difference. Tasted again 94 weeks later on 2nd February 2020. Most impressed Pale to mid Lemon in colour. Notes of fine vanillan oak - citrus more than stone fruit. Beautifully made with great finesse and texture Medium intensity with medium plus length. Excellent.

Mid Lemon in Colour. Nose of Grapefruit Citrus Nuts and a touch of caramel Oak. Lovely creamy texture on the palate showing the citrus/Grapefruit flavours of M plus acid and intensity. Definitely new world - could have been from the Yarra Valley Victoria. No. 2 wine in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2016.

Classic cool climate Chardonnay form one of the top producers

14' Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay. Highly recommend if you're opening a bottle now to decant it. Great Chardonnay.

Golden yellow. Straw, hay and creamy on the nose. Nice butter but also delicious fruit. Moderate acidity (7/10). Great finish and long